Parliament will reconvene in two weeks’ time and many believe it will spark political fireworks.

What I’m after at the moment is to see the PN win this election

I wouldn’t like to see it happen. But we all know the Government lost its one-seat majority the minute Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando left the party and it now depends on his support. We also know that several opinion polls show the PN trailing Labour. Notwithstanding this, I believe nobody from the PN should give up and it’s crucial for the country to be governed by the Nationalist Party.

The Prime Minister is being accused of delaying the election simply because his party is trailing so heavily in the polls. Is your party so desperate to hang on to power?

The mandate ends in spring 2013. If you believe that the PN government is better placed to govern the country then you should do all you can to go for the best moment to secure the election. It’s the nature of politics and there’s nothing wrong with it as long as the Government doesn’t go beyond its regular mandate. So far it has a majority behind it.

Morally, is it right for this Government to keep hanging on till the very end when barely a day goes by without an internal dispute coming out in the open?

Let’s say it’s difficult. The Government has a duty to do its best to govern. If the Government loses its majority in Parliament in a vote of confidence it’s another story and that’s when morality comes into play.

A few months ago you had written that the PN was a divided party. Since then you’ve been appointed as special delegate to the Prime Minister to bring the Government closer to society. Did you manage to mend some of the party’s broken pieces in the meantime?

In all fairness my job was not to bring unity in the parliamentary group. I’m not even an MP. I tried to reconnect our party and leader with civil society. I’ve been working very hard. I hope to have made some steps forward but of course I’d like it to be even better. As to the parliamentary group, I don’t need to spell it out and it would be unfair to have had the task to deal with that...

We’re a few months, possibly weeks from the next election. Everyone keeps speculating about Simon Busuttil being on the candidates’ list. Will you be?

Yes I will. This has not been an easy decision. Everyone knows how committed I am as an MEP. But I feel the time has come for me to stand up and be counted and I’m ready to do it.

Was it a decision that has been forced upon you or did it come out of conviction from your end?

I have been asked to do it, but I’m committed to it. I’m convinced it’s the right thing to do.

You’re a successful MEP, you were voted back into the European Parliament in a big way... Why subject yourself to local politics, which let’s face it, can sometimes turn rather petty?

In this current situation we need all hands on deck. We need the country to continue being governed by the PN. Despite its shortcomings, it is still infinitely better placed to lead this country than Labour.

I feel so strongly about this that I want to make a personal commitment. I hope I won’t be the only one to stand up and be counted. I’m convinced that should Labour be elected we’d be knocking on Europe’s doors for a bailout within a year or two if Joseph Muscat lives up to his promises.

I’m not the ‘anointed’ one ... and I wouldn’t want that to happen

What can you bring to the PN?

I will remain who I am and I will bring myself. I hope to be able to bring the trust I have earned over the past years.

I also hope to bring a European dimension which is the opposite of parochialism.

I see a party that in government can strive for excellence and the good governance we associate with Europe, like high standards in health and education. The risk is too high with Labour.

But the same Labour Party is led by a former MEP, and he also promised a European dimension.

What does Muscat stand for four-and-a-half years on from his leadership? Let me cite President Obama: “They want your vote but they have no idea what to do after they get it”. With me you know what you get, with Muscat you’re still left in the dark.

How long has the PN been knocking at your door?

Quite a while, but the decision was finally made following a conversation I had with the Prime Minister last week when he insisted I should do it.

Which districts will you be contesting?

It hasn’t been decided yet - I will probably contest on two districts but I need to see where I can be most useful for the party.

You had turned down the post of general secretary some years back. Why is this so different?

Things have changed. We had just won an election and today we’re facing a new one with a heavy disadvantage. I don’t want my party to face an election it might lose and then regret not having done my utmost.

Your decision is bound to fuel speculation that the PN has anointed its next leader. You will say it’s not the case but do you blame people for thinking this way?

If leadership ambitions had anything to do with this, then it would have been easier for me not to do it. Muscat waited for his party to lose before he moved in. What I’m doing is the opposite – I’m moving in to help my party win rather than first let it lose and then show my leadership ambitions.

Helping the party win means Lawrence Gonzi as Prime Minister.

But you’re also moving in when polls are showing a near certain defeat.

I hope I’ll be able to reverse that.

If the PN does manage to win, would you be happy to assume the role of backbencher?

It’s for the Prime Minister to make his choice. I’m aware I’m giving up my post in the European Parliament without any guarantees. That’s why my choice is difficult.

Along with the likes of Mario de Marco, Chris Said and potentially one or two others, you’re cited as a potential leader. Is that what you’re after?

What I’m after at the moment is to see the PN win this election. This is why I feel it was my duty to give my contribution.

What happens later obviously depends on the outcome of the election. I will cross the bridge when I come to it.

So do you deny that you’ve been promised to be the official anointed one should Lawrence Gonzi step down?

Absolutely... and I wouldn’t want that to happen.

If he does step down, will you throw your hat into the ring?

I will cross the bridge when we get to it. What I will tell you is that I’m joining this with Lawrence Gonzi as my party leader and I’m joining this to help him win the election.

And you believe your name on the ballot paper can help the PN win the next election.

Much to my astonishment, my name on the ballot paper in the MEP election attracted almost 70,000 votes. If that means my name carries a certain amount of credibility and goodwill then I want to put it to the service of my party.